§ Mr. McKayasked the Minister of Labour the average rise in the cost-of-living index figure, based on the 17th June, 1947, index, for 1956 up to the latest date above that of the average index figure of 149 in 1955; what rise this represents in actual per cent.; and how much he estimates such a rise in per 144W cent. gives on the average earnings of the workers of 222s. 11d. in October, 1955.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodWith prices at 17th June, 1947, taken as 100 the average of the index figures for January to May of this year was 155. This was about 4 per cent. above the average index figure for the whole of 1955, but only 2 per cent. above the index figure for October, 1955, the date to which the earnings figure of 222s. 11d. for adult males relates. Increases of 4 per cent. and 2 per cent. on a sum of 222s. 11d. would amount to about 9s. and 4s. 6d., respectively.